HISTORY OF

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH - WINTERSET

 

It is well authenticated that the Elder Thomas Cason of this church was one of the first preachers of Madison County. Aside from that fact, nothing is know about his efforts to establish a religious organization. In July 1853 Rev. A. D. Kellison and wife organized the First Christian Church at Winterset. Charter members included John Brinson, Elizabeth Brinson, David Bishop, Peter Moore, Thomas Moore, Thomas Dryden, and Eliza Dryden.

 

A substantial church building was erected in 1855 and met the requirements of the organization until 1896, when it was torn down and a commodious and modern church was erected. Mr. and Mrs. Kellison preached for the church until 1858. Other early pastors were Rev. A. Bradfield, Elders Storr and Bishop. 

 

In 1891 Rev. W. B. Golden was the pastor and he was followed by Rev. Howard who remained several years. Under the efforts of the latter the congregation was materially built up and it was largely through his untiring efforts that the church building was erected.

 

The next pastor was Rev. L. E. Follansbee, who has since achieved quite a reputation on the lecture platform. His successor was Rev. E. E. Bennett who was followed by Rev. Grafton. The Church is now (1915) without a pastor.

 

Among the prominent members in early times were the families of John Rogers, William Compton, Doctor Phillbrick, David Bishop, John Brinson, A. J. Adkinson and Mrs. Ogden.

 

Referring to the 1896 building, it was stated "Services continued there until after 1915, when they were gradually discontinued and the congregation disbanded. In 1925, the building was sold to Fred Kale, and within a few years it was converted into an apartment building"3. The last mention of this church in the newspapers was in September 1921 when a pastor from Indianola came to preach a sermon.

__________________

 

Source 1: The History of Madison County, Iowa, Union Historical Company, 1879, Des Moines, Iowa

Source 2: History of Madison County and its People, Volume 1, Herman Mueller, The S. J. Clarke 

Publishing Company, 1915, Chicago, Illinois

Source 3: Pioneers Brought Christian Faith to Frontier, The Winterset Madisonian, 100th Anniversary
Edition, Winterset, Iowa, July 18, 1956, Page 6


Maintained by the County Coordinator This page was created on December 10, 2010.
This page was last updated Thursday, 09-Mar-2023 17:23:42 CST .